Tip: Using the Edgesplit Modifier to Smooth Lowpoly Models

In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip we demonstrate how to make a lowpoly model appear smoother than it actually is by using an Edgesplit modifier. This technique also resolves the issue with artifacts you commonly face when displaying a lowpoly model as smooth.

Hey, thats nice tip, but it seems that there are some problems with video.
It looks like mouse pointer isn’t where it is supposed to be. Tutorial is still understandable, but for someone very new to blender it may not look so good.

Good tip. Don’t know about here Maxinova, but I watched it on Vimeo and it was smooth. I notice back at the office on my WinXP machine it may jump some, but that is the computer not fast enough. (Time to swap that out for an iMac it looks like).

Joel, did the video end midsentence? That’s what happened for me, maybe that’s what maxinowa ment :/

One thing I want to object to, eventhough this is a great tip and very useful, I don’t agree to the title that you smooth things out with edgesplit, it’s the other way around.
Instead of making things smooth, edgesplit makes things sharp. The black gradients around the belt, boots and shirt are there because it is too smooth, and that’s why you use edgesplit, to make those edges sharp. It even says so in the edge menu “mark sharp”.